Fire suppression system

Abstract

An exemplary method of fire suppression includes introducing a fire suppression fluid into an area by directing the fire suppression fluid along a primary trajectory that is aimed directly at a generally horizontal surface in the area.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of fire suppression, comprising:
 introducing a fire suppression fluid into an area by directing the fire suppression fluid along a primary trajectory that is aimed directly at a generally horizontal surface in the area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising establishing a pattern of distribution of a mist of the fire suppression fluid in the area, the pattern including the mist moving along the primary trajectory until about the location of the generally horizontal surface followed by at least some of the mist moving generally horizontally and then at least a portion of the some of the mist moving generally upward. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the pattern includes at least some of the mist moving generally horizontally toward a base of a fire in the area. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the mist moving along the pattern is operative to suffocate a fire in the area. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising
 introducing the fire suppression fluid as a mist; and   establishing a pattern of turbulent distribution within the area that results in the mist essentially filling the area.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising
 providing a nozzle that establishes the primary trajectory; and   positioning the nozzle above the generally horizontal surface a distance so that the fire suppression fluid exiting the nozzle is aimed at the generally horizontal surface.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the nozzle establishes at least a portion of the primary trajectory at an angle that is greater than about 50 degrees relative to the generally horizontal surface. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the generally horizontal surface is a floor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the generally horizontal surface is a platform. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the area comprises a portion of a structure having a floor and a plurality of generally vertical walls and wherein the primary trajectory is aimed at the floor instead of at any of the walls. 
     
     
         11 . A fire suppression system, comprising:
 at least one conduit configured to carry a fire suppression fluid;   a nozzle connected with the conduit, the nozzle being positioned above a generally horizontal surface in an area that includes a plurality of generally vertical walls, the nozzle being configured to introduce a fire suppression fluid into the area by directing the fire suppression fluid along a primary trajectory that is aimed directly at the generally horizontal surface.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle is positioned and configured to establish a pattern of distribution of a mist of the fire suppression fluid in the area, the pattern including the mist moving along the primary trajectory until about the location of the generally horizontal surface followed by at least some of the mist moving generally horizontally and then at least a portion of the some of the mist moving generally upward. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the pattern includes at least some of the mist moving generally horizontally toward a base of a fire in the area. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the mist moving along the pattern is operative to suffocate a fire in the area. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle is configured to release the fire suppression fluid as a mist in a manner that is effective to establish a pattern of turbulent distribution within the area that results in the mist essentially filling the area. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle is positioned above the generally horizontal surface a distance so that the fire suppression fluid exiting the nozzle is aimed at the generally horizontal surface. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the nozzle outlet is configured to establish at least a portion of the primary trajectory at an angle that is at least about 50 degrees relative to the generally horizontal surface. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the generally horizontal surface is a floor. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the primary trajectory is aimed at the floor instead of at any of the walls. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the generally horizontal surface is a platform.